Deontay Wilder is backing Anthony Joshua to put away Otto Wallin inside eight rounds to set up their fight in 2024.
Joshua and Wilder will share spectacular card in Saudi Arabia on 23 December with Wilder in action against former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker on the same night.
Should the heavyweight rivals come through those respective tests unscathed, it is hoped they will return to Saudi in 2024 to meet in a fight that has been in the making for eight years.
Joshua has fought twice this year, outpointing Jermaine Franklin in April before a devastating knockout win over Robert Helenius in August.
And Wilder is backing the Briton to record one more knockout before the year is out. Asked for a fight prediction, he told ES News: ‘I think Joshua knocks him out. Six to eight rounds.’
Joshua and Wallin fought as amateurs and have sparred each other over the years but their cordial relationship took a turn during a press conference announcing the fight last week.
Wallin, whose only defeat in 28 fights came against Tyson Fury in 2019, took aim at Joshua when addressing the media, insisting the former Olympian is ‘past his peak’.
The two then came face-to-face in an intense stare down with Joshua sending a chilling warning to the Swede.
‘You talk a lot, don’t worry about me, worry about yourself,’ Joshua said.
‘All your doing is giving me more motivation. Keep talking s**t, all you’re doing is digging your grave.
‘You’re talking about I’ve had my peak? Your next on my list. Good luck anyway, yeah. I’m f*****g you up December 23rd. And if you’re talking s**t, don’t shake my hand after.’
In addition to Joshua vs Wallin and Wilder vs Parker, Daniel Dubois takes on Jarrell Miller on the stacked card in Saudi.
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